James IV, b. Mar. 17, 1473, d. Sept. 9, 1513, one of the most energetic of Scotland's Stuart monarchs, personified the ideal of the Renaissance king. A patron of the arts and education, he encouraged such diverse endeavors as alchemy, architecture, and printing. James, who succeeded his father, James III, in 1488, extended royal administration and justice and raised Scotland's status in European politics.
Continuing Scotland's pro-French diplomacy, James, beginning in 1495, supported Perkin Warbeck's claims to the English throne. Border clashes with England followed, but in 1497 the two countries signed a 7-year truce. The truce was strengthened in 1503 when James married Margaret Tudor, the daughter of Henry VII of England. This union prepared the way for the ultimate succession of a Stuart to the English throne (see James I, King of England). In 1512, however, Scotland renewed its French alliance, and when Henry VIII invaded France in 1513, James marched into northern England. He was defeated and killed in the Battle of Flodden. James was succeeded by his son, James V.
Haws, Charles H. "James IV, King of Scotland." Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Grolier Online, 2012. Web. 29 Jan. 2012.
Annexed Lordship of the Isles, kiled at Flodden (Williamson, David. Debrett's kings and queens of Britain. Topsfield, Mass. : Salem House Publishers, 1986, pg. 229).
King of Scotland.
The couple had six children, but only James and Alexander survived (The concise dictionary of national biography. Part 1 : from the beginnings till 1900. London : Oxford University Press, 1969, pg. 840).